Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist cinnamon-swirled poke cake with gooey filling and cream cheese frosting — perfect for brunch or dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup milk
04 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
05 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Filling
06 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
07 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until batter is smooth. Pour into prepared baking dish and smooth surface.
03 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
04 - While cake bakes, mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in melted butter until a thick paste forms.
05 - Remove cake from oven when done. Immediately use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly over the surface, about 1 inch apart.
06 - Spoon or drizzle cinnamon filling over the warm cake, letting it seep into the holes. Allow cake to cool completely.
07 - In a clean bowl, beat together cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until creamy and spreadable.
08 - Spread cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Cut into portions and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- There's no kneading donut required to get those nostalgic cinnamon roll flavors - the shortcut cake mix does the heavy lifting and no one will guess.
- The lush cream cheese frosting melts right into the cake and somehow tastes even better when made a few hours ahead.
02 -
- If you don't poke deep enough, the cinnamon filling just sits on top instead of infusing the cake - don't be shy pressing that spoon handle down.
- It's tempting to frost before the cake is fully cool, but patience pays off with a perfectly creamy topping instead of a melted mess.
03 -
- Room-temperature ingredients make both batter and frosting blend seamlessly, and prevent lumps.
- A light sprinkle of sea salt atop the finished cake brightens the sweetness and elevates the spice.